The Parliament Approved a Change to Constitution

The Parliament Approved a Change to Constitution

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​Eduskunta voted on Wednesday October 3rd in favor or an urgent change in the Finnish Constitution. By 178 to 13 Finnish MPs thus voted with a clear margin of the required five sixths majority for an expedited process.

Under the amendment of the Constitution, the secrecy of communications could be breached when deemed necessary for ‘obtaining information about military operations or other such activities that seriously threaten national security’.

Under the amendment, provisions on intelligence gathering powers interfering with the secrecy of communications could be laid down in ordinary law. Under the provision, introducing these powers would be subject to significant restrictions. The threat to national security should be of serious nature. The powers interfering with the secrecy of communications should also be necessary for obtaining the intelligence.